In a significant milestone for the energy sector of Mauritania and Senegal, global energy giant bp announced on April 17 the successful loading of the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from its highly anticipated Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) Phase 1 project. This is the first ever LNG export from Mauritania and Senegal.

The export of this inaugural cargo follows the earlier announcement of first gas flow from the offshore project and marks bp’s third major project start-up in 2025. This is in line with the company’s focus on growing its upstream oil and gas business, with GTA Phase 1 being the first of ten major projects expected to commence operations by the end of 2027.

Gordon Birrell, bp’s EVP of production & operations, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “This first cargo from Mauritania and Senegal marks a significant new supply for global energy markets. Starting exports from GTA Phase 1 is an important step for bp and our oil and gas business as we celebrate the creation of a new production hub within our global portfolio.” He further added, “This is the culmination of years of work from the entire project and operations teams – congratulations to all who were involved in safely reaching this landmark. I would also like to thank the governments of Mauritania and Senegal, and our partners – Kosmos Energy, PETROSEN and SMH – for their ongoing support and collaboration.”

The initial LNG shipment was transferred to a specialized carrier from the project’s state-of-the-art floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) vessel, situated 10 kilometers offshore. Onboard the FLNG, the extracted natural gas underwent cryogenic cooling and liquefaction before being stored for export.

The GTA project stands as one of the deepest offshore developments in Africa, tapping into substantial gas resources located in water depths reaching up to 2,850 meters. Recognizing its importance, the governments of both Mauritania and Senegal have declared GTA a “project of national importance.” Upon full commissioning, GTA Phase 1 is projected to produce approximately 2.4 million tonnes of LNG annually, contributing significantly to global energy demands. Furthermore, a portion of the produced gas volumes is earmarked for the domestic markets of both Mauritania and Senegal, once the necessary infrastructure is in place to receive it.

Dave Campbell, bp’s SVP for Mauritania and Senegal, highlighted the collaborative spirit of the project, saying, “This is a very proud day for Mauritania and Senegal. Throughout the development of this project, we have built strong relationships with the project’s host governments, local communities and our partners, and we look forward to strengthening these in years to come as we continue ongoing operations.”

bp’s involvement in Mauritania and Senegal dates back to 2017. The construction phase of the GTA project has already generated over 3,000 local jobs, demonstrating its positive economic impact on the region. Additionally, the project has actively engaged with approximately 300 local companies across both Mauritania and Senegal.